Moussa Sissoko believes Jonjo Shelvey is a genuine “replacement” for Yohan Cabaye in terms of his creativity and importance to the Newcastle team.

The French international played with his compatriot Cabaye for a year at St James’ Park before the latter’s move to PSG in 2014, and he sees similarities in Shelvey’s ability to control a game.

“I really believe that he is the replacement, two years after (Cabaye’s departure),” he said.

“Jonjo, like Yohan, is a very good player. He sees the game so easily and delivers great balls.

“For me, he is the same style as Yohan and has the same qualities so for me, yes, he is an excellent signing for us.

“He has now played four games for us and you can see what he brings to the team. It has to be good for us.

“Now we have to grow with him, make sure we make the most of his vision and his range of passing to pick up as many points as we can between now and the end of the season.

“When we lost Yohan, the club did not bring in another player like him. There was a gap.

“We still had good players like Cheick (Tiote) and Jack (Colback) but they are very different styles. They were not like Yohan.

“With Jonjo, he is the perfect style for us because he fits in so well. Players like myself and Gini (Wijnaldum) like to go forward and he can pick us out so easily.

“It makes such a difference and now we must feed off him.

“It worked against West Brom with Jonjo spotting Mitro (for Mitrovic’s goal) and it will happen again.

“He has already become a very important member of this team because he is different.”

Sissoko has been an ever-present in Newcastle’s side this season and hopes the recent improvement in their home form can propel them to safety.

“The players who have come in will help us stay up,” he added. “The club has brought in some very good players, We now have a good team.

“I believe for the rest of the season, we can look at it positively and we can play some good football and win some games.

“We deserved to beat West Brom so we are very happy. This week will feel much better for us than last week after Everton. They were some hard days for us.

“But now we have a tough game coming up against Chelsea on Saturday.

“We have not picked up results away from home, but now we believe we can go there and get something.

“That’s now three good home performances in a row. Away from home, sometimes we have played well but lost – of course, I am not talking about Everton which was bad – but now we have to be consistent and show what we are capable of not just at home but away from home too.